The best New York Performers (a continuation)

I wrote a previous post about the best New York Performers a month or two ago and I have left my favorites for this post because it would have been too long to read. Here is a list of my favourites of the best NYC has to offer:

The rapper +built in audience: The rapper will either be rippidity rappin' by the time you get down to wait for the subway or will walk into the subway with his friends and bust out into "song"(?). He is hard to spot if he is not already rapping. The best part of the rappers are easily his friends. They either become part of his chorus, his entourage, or his back up dancers. They all sway together, grab their junk occasionally, and make random "rap" hand gestures. The main rapper is usually the best one and I always give him money because of the poetry that he produces. It's actually just a more acceptable delivery of subway poetry in my eyes. It is definitely something that every person should look forward to for entertainment or for a few eye rolls as you get closer to your travel destination. 

The bucket bands: The bucket bands only set up shop in the subway stations as it is too hard for them to travel and produce a song from stop to stop. They have huge buckets and I like to imagine that they all wonder about the city, searching for others who are carrying buckets so that they can have a random jam session. I think though in reality, they are two stoner hippies who text one another, "Wanna bang on some buckets at West 4th?" The bucket bands will always start solo, waiting for the other people to come with their buckets and join him. These songs are always entertaining with the rare exception of a long train wait and a huge migraine. They will play for hours too just jamming in sync and you can always find them at 14th street or west 4 for sure.

The starving classical musicians: These guys/girls are some of my favorites. If you want a free concert, check these musicians out usually at west 4 or any major train station near music program universities. These musicians all decide that practicing is better in public because they can make a little money. They will start playing alone and wait for the others, and the music always puts me in a better mood. The musicians that play are always a bit disheveled, which makes me happy. They definitely make love to their instruments and usually make a lot more money then most street performers. I like to think that it is a literal charity where you can see exactly where your money goes and get something out of it. Sure these music majors are amazingly talented, but they need to think long term like "how am I going to pay for this useless degree?" or "What the hell am I going to do after I get this degree?" or "how much money do I need to survive?" I am investing in their future as well as their present. I enjoy every moment that they play because of the passion that they portray. Also, I love the moment when additional musicians get to the station and join the solo musician mid song because it reminds me of the final band scene from Titanic :)

The Hip Hop Groups: My favourite and most common act. These boy groups usually get on and off the longer stops, primarily to and from Brooklyn and Manhattan. They are always very fit, very dressed in tank tops, sideways hats, shoes with very, very loose strings, and arm sweat bands. They travel in packs of 6 or so and you always know them before they perform because of several obvious and reliable facts. 1.) They always have the built-in audience guy who can't dance. He is their number one fan and probably has a crush on his friends. He is ALWAYS the one in charge of repeating "IT'S SHOWTIME!" and making sure to press the button for the music. His eyes light up as his friends dance and he claps way too eagerly while making big noises or snaps to cheer on his friends. Things like, "OH!" and "WATCH WHAT HE'S ABOUT TO DO!" or "I DON'T BELIEVE IT!". During an average performance, he is guaranteed to hold his hand up to his mouth 5 times while screaming "OH!!!!" or he isn't legit. The performers vary in ability which is why I may or may not give them money. It is annoying when they choose to perform in the space where people are disabled or have a broken foot because they are jumping around and throwing their shoe everywhere. I also sometimes just want peace and quiet and they come on and ruin that for me.
When they are good, they will incorporate walking on the top of the subway ceiling while dangling. They will also do some sort of upside down slow pole dancing--random thought--why is that seemingly okay to do in the public but not for strippers in private? I would much rather watch strippers than these guys.....
The more athletic they are the better they are. I have seen some lame guys who just looked like really bad boy bands or back up dancers with no floor, ceiling, or pole work. This isn't the 90's guys! I also get annoyed when all they can do is try (an often fail) at either catching their stretched out shoe on their foot or their stupid hat on their head. Really? You want money for that? I do that every day after work without asking people for a dollar.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT--my complete list of New York City performers. Let me know what ones are your favorite or if you think I should expand on any of them.

Late Night Ramblings

Ever just feel sad? You're in a downer mood all evening like you're expecting something dreadful to happen? And if it does, then you knew and that makes you more sad. If it doesn't happen, then you are still sad. Basically, you are sad. I am trying to figure out why I am sad right now. I should be happy because nothing terrible has happened to me for the last few weeks, but I just can't seem to remember that right now.

I have been watching rehab-type shows lately where the psychiatrist digs deep into the the addict's past and that got me to thinking that my depression might start at traumatic periods of the person's life. I am by no means addicted to anything...just want you to know. However, since I have never been to therapy, it is something that I am currently toying with. I think it's so commendable to these people who will go on tv to address their deepest reasons for their addiction and trauma. I am also proud of people that I meet who openly tell me about their anxiety, depression, and/or therapy. Taking steps to improve their health is very awesome to me. For people to be strong enough and not ashamed of working on their health with someone makes me want to attend therapy even more. No longer is it embarrassing to admit that we need help sometimes and that we don't have to suffer by ourselves.

If you suffer from stress, anxiety, or depression, you should definitely seek out some help from a doctor, therapist, or counselor. I am sad and I am going to take steps to get better. I want to work on myself and figure out ways to cope with the dark parts of my head.

Thank you all for reading...

Papa Johns- My Hostile/Hostage Pizza "DELIVERY"

I just submitted a "FEEDBACK" form for Mr. Papa himself, along with speaking with the driver, speaking with the store manager, and reaching out to this coming through Twitter. Seeing as I haven't heard back from them, I thought that I would share the lovely event with you fine people on my blog:


I think that this store needs to examine their "delivery policy" as two of the drivers from this store (most recently this evening) refuse to enter the lobby of my building.

Tonight's delivery service and problem solving technique from the manager on duty is totally unacceptable. I order online, and not only is it 15 minutes later than the "estimation" which initially I did not have a problem with, but the driver calls me to tell me that he is here. I told him that he needs to come inside and he told me that it was against the "delivery policy." After 10 minutes of arguing with him I go outside and do not see him anywhere. It is not till I walk all the way down the block that I see his car. No friendly greeting either. And this was not due to lack of parking space in front of my building as he was parked up on the sidewalk. Is that your company's definition of "delivery"? I pay a delivery fee and pre-pay a tip on my  credit card to track down your driver somewhere within a four block radius of my house? I have a broken foot which makes it even more disgusting to me that I had to walk down the street to meet him.

When I called the manager on duty, he put me on hold several times and made me repeat my complaint before just saying that he would speak with the driver on duty. Had I known how consistently poor this store's delivery service would be, I would have walked a few minutes to the local pizza place and picked up a pizza myself. I should have tipped myself! This is Papa John's definition of customer service? I find this completely unacceptable and I doubt that I will be ordering from your company or this store again. Please call me should you need any additional information or clarification.

Proposing to a Man

I am a firm supporter of feminism, but there is one thing that I do find odd. Ladies (and Gents), what are your thoughts on proposing to a man?

Here are the pros:

• Women no longer have to give men ultimatums such as shit or get off the pot. 
• Couples don't have to have an agreement that they should get married, which I find completely silly. 
• Power to the female. Breaking the patriarchal stereotypes that the man has to decide the whens of the female's life. 
• It's possible that the man might want that future with the woman but never thought about it.
• They could be shy and could appreciate the female taking charge?

Here are the cons:

• Women could be portrayed as desperate, needy, psychotic.....
• Men have one job to do technically--be creative and romantic. Do women want to do everything? Women already have to plan a wedding (with men's help sometimes) and have babies. Do you (as a woman) really want to take that moment away from men? 
• You could be rejected....bad....and ruin an otherwise perfect relationship. It is common knowledge that men need a little more time than women to be sure about something so...beautiful and permanent. 

What do you think?